"They say this banquet happens every three years. Only real socialites who pass a rigorous screening can attend. You know, this international brand is super famous in our circles. It''s luxury at its finest. Ladies invited to this event must be between 18 and 25 years old. If you''re over 25, you can''t enter. And there are strict rules about height, weight, and figure," Liza introduced.


    She was always eager to attend these kinds of banquets.


    But Debra''s attention was on the crowd. She noticed everyone else was wearing ck dresses, making her stand out in her white dress.


    "Are you listening? I''m giving you a crash course here."


    "Yeah. Keep going."


    Debra nced around the venue, trying to spot Drake''s men. Sure enough, she saw several men in ck patrolling outside. The Lowe family crest on their uniforms reassured her.


    But soon, a wave of worry crept in because this hotel was owned by the Sharp family. Conrad was a profit-driven opportunist who would switch sides if it benefitted him. If he betrayed them, Drake''s men would be rendered useless.


    Drake was getting ready to head to the banquet.


    Kale escorted him to the car. Drake asked casually, "Are the arrangements in ce?"


    "Everything''s set," Kale replied. "Our men are protecting Mrs. Houston from the shadows. The venue is at the Jovial Hotel, so there shouldn''t be any issues."


    Drake nodded. Since it was the


    naturally more secure


    Sharp family''s property, it was


    was


    pulling the strings would think twice before making a move on his turf.


    Just then, Kale''s phone rang. He answered it and switched to the car''s Bluetooth speaker.


    "Mr. Mclean," a guard''s voice came through, "our men are being blocked at the entrance of the Jovial Hotel. We can''t get in."


    "Tell the manager you''re from the Lowe family," Kale instructed.


    "We''ve said it a dozen times, but they''re not listening. They keep saying this banquet is important, and they can''t let us in to avoid causing panic."


    "Then fight your way in," Drake barked. "Stopping my men? I dare them."


    1.n


    "Mr. Lowe, I deeply apologize," the hotel manager chimed in. "We''re just following protocol. I promise we''ll protect Mrs. Houston and Miss Eaton Please let our people wait outside for two or three hours. The banquet will be over soon


    Drake didn''t usually tolerate such behavior, but he knew the banquet was important for Debra. If he''


    ca scene, she would attract


    more attention.


    He took a deep breath and relented. "Fine. Wait outside. But if anything happens


    to Debra under your watch, I''ll have your head."


    "Yes, of course," replied the manager. "Nothing will go wrong. We''ll ensure both Mrs. Houston''s and Miss Eaton''s safety."


    Drake signaled to Kale to end the call.


    "Boss, are we really letting this slide?" Kale asked cautiously.